• A drive-In testing station employee stands next to an open car window to take a nasal swab in Osnabrueck, Germany. AP Photo
    A drive-In testing station employee stands next to an open car window to take a nasal swab in Osnabrueck, Germany. AP Photo
  • A student from Fritz Karsen Community School takes a Covid-19 test before classes begin in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo
    A student from Fritz Karsen Community School takes a Covid-19 test before classes begin in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo
  • Travelers walk through the main departures hall at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, Belgium. As of April 19, non-essential travel is again authorized but strongly discouraged by the government. EPA
    Travelers walk through the main departures hall at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, Belgium. As of April 19, non-essential travel is again authorized but strongly discouraged by the government. EPA
  • A hairdresser serves a customer in Naples, Italy, as the town is downgraded from a red to an orange zone, after weeks of tight restrictions to fight the coronavirus disease outbreak. Reuters
    A hairdresser serves a customer in Naples, Italy, as the town is downgraded from a red to an orange zone, after weeks of tight restrictions to fight the coronavirus disease outbreak. Reuters
  • A Covid-19 vaccine hub set up at Caselle airport, Turin, Italy. EPA
    A Covid-19 vaccine hub set up at Caselle airport, Turin, Italy. EPA
  • Volunteers from French Protection Civile association hand out leaflets at a market to try to persuade Parisians over 55 to have the AstraZeneca vaccine, in Paris, France. Reuters
    Volunteers from French Protection Civile association hand out leaflets at a market to try to persuade Parisians over 55 to have the AstraZeneca vaccine, in Paris, France. Reuters
  • A pedestrian walks past a closed cafe terrace with chairs stacked outside in Paris, France. EPA
    A pedestrian walks past a closed cafe terrace with chairs stacked outside in Paris, France. EPA
  • Belgian artist Alain Verschueren wears his "Portable Oasis" while performing in a street, saying he wanted to be in his bubble in the middle of the city, in Brussels, Belgium. Reuters
    Belgian artist Alain Verschueren wears his "Portable Oasis" while performing in a street, saying he wanted to be in his bubble in the middle of the city, in Brussels, Belgium. Reuters

Greta Thunberg: Rich countries failing 'moral test' on vaccine distribution


Neil Murphy
  • English
  • Arabic

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg says it is completely unethical that wealthy countries are inoculating young people at the expense of vulnerable groups in poorer nations.

Speaking at a WHO conference on Monday, the Swedish teenager revealed her foundation has donated €100,000 ($120,000) to help end the issue of global vaccine inequality.

The money will go towards providing additional doses to the Covax global vaccine-sharing initiative and help to ensure health workers and vulnerable patients in low-income countries are protected from Covid-19.

"It is completely unethical that high-income countries are now vaccinating young and healthy people if that happens at the expense of people in risk groups and on the front lines in low and middle-income countries", she said.

"This is a moral test. We talked today about showing solidarity, and yet vaccine nationalism is what's running the vaccine distribution. It is only when it really comes down to it, that we show our true face."

Greta Thunberg's foundation has donated money to the Covax vaccine sharing initiative. Getty Images
Greta Thunberg's foundation has donated money to the Covax vaccine sharing initiative. Getty Images

“We have the tools we need to correct this great imbalance that exists around the world today in the fight against Covid-19, just as with the climate crisis. Those who are the most vulnerable need to be prioritised. Global problems require global solutions."

The WHO said the donation was made possible by the Greta Thunberg Foundation following its awards for tackling climate change.

It has previously demanded wealthier countries do more to address the unequal distribution of vaccines, with just one in 500 people from lower-income countries inoculated.

Ms Thunberg was speaking online at a press conference with WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Earlier this month, Ms Thunberg, 18, said she would not attend the Cop 26 UN climate conference in Scotland in November in protest over the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.

“Greta Thunberg has inspired millions of people worldwide to take action to address the climate crisis, and her strong support of vaccine equality to fight the Covid-19 pandemic yet again demonstrates her commitment to making our world a healthier, safer and fairer place for all people,” said Dr Tedros. “I urge the global community to follow Greta’s example and do what they can, in support of Covax, to protect the world’s most vulnerable people from this pandemic.”

During the conference, Ms Thunberg also backed a WHO fund to combat the impact of Covid-19 on young people.

The initiative, named Global Youth Mobilisation, will bypass traditional funding to support grassroots movements and assist young people to overcome school closures, mental health issues and job losses caused by the pandemic.

The WHO says an initial $2 million of funding will be available in four tiers – from $500 through to $5,000 – with an ‘accelerator’ program to back promising solutions. More funding has been lined up over the coming months.

It is backed by the 'Big Six' global youth organisations, as well as Unicef, Usaid, Unfpa, the European Commission, Salesforce, Fifa and governments around the world.

Dr Tedros said: “The WHO is committed to ensuring the voice, energy and solutions offered by youth are at the centre of the world’s recovery from Covid-19.

"Our collaboration with the Big 6 and the United Nations Foundation will fuel wide-ranging actions led by young people to address the challenges their own communities face, and will also provide global platforms for their wisdom and ideas to be heard and acted on.”

Specs

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Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

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Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

MATCH INFO

Who: France v Italy
When: Friday, 11pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

MATCH INFO

RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')

Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)

Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

Aquaman%20and%20the%20Lost%20Kingdom
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20James%20Wan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jason%20Mamoa%2C%20Patrick%20Wilson%2C%20Amber%20Heard%2C%20Yahya%20Abdul-Mateen%20II%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 582bhp

Torque: 730Nm

Price: Dh649,000

On sale: now  

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Australia tour of Pakistan

March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi

March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi

March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore

March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi

March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi

April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi

April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi

Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company

The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,000mm, Winners: Mumayaza, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winners: Sharkh, Pat Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

6pm: The President’s Cup Prep - Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle

7pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup - Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

8pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nibras Passion, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ismail Mohammed

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GOODBYE%20JULIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohamed%20Kordofani%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiran%20Riak%2C%20Eiman%20Yousif%2C%20Nazar%20Goma%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Brescia 1 (Skrinia og, 76)

Inter Milan 2 (Martinez 33, Lukaku 63)